The Elite
Page 19
“Hey,” he said, looking over at her. “I’m really sorry for what went down out there. Is your knee okay?”
“Yeah,” she said quietly, wondering if it was completely obvious that she’d been bawling like an infant less than five minutes ago. Probably. “I’m okay. Its not your fault, anyway.”
“Yeah, actually it kind of is,” Drew said forcefully, and Casey turned to face him, completely confused. Drew exhaled heavily, turning and taking her hand in his. Oh my God, Casey thought, her heart beating crazily in her chest, Drew Van Allen is holding my hand! The sensation of his skin on hers was so warm and heady that she could barely concentrate on what he was saying. Don’t blow it this time, her inner dating Nazi said coolly. He probably just feels sorry for you.
“I didn’t know what I wanted for a while,” Drew said quietly, running his fingers over hers with a light, delicate touch that made her want to jump out of her skin with excitement. Or hurl herself onto the white Flokati rug strewn across the tile floor at their feet and declare her undying love—either or.
“What about now?” Casey couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. Was she insane? Why was she in a hurry for him to tell her what she already knew—that he’d always been in love with Madison, that he still loved her.
“I know what I want now,” Drew said, sinking to his knees on the white rug. “And it’s you.” Drew reached up, wiping away the tearstains from her face, and Casey threw her hands up in the air, blocking his touch.
“Why would you want me?” she asked. “I’m a total mess.” What are you doing? her inner dating Nazi shrieked. Are you trying to get rid of him? Drew smiled, pushing her hands down and holding on to both of them with his own as he gazed up into her face, his lips turning up at the corners as he tried not to laugh.
“Then we’re perfect for each other,” Drew said, looking into her eyes. “I’m a mess, too. Besides,” he added with a wink, “I think you’re completely beautiful.” He let go of her hands and gestured at her dress. “You could wear a paper bag and you’d still be beautiful.” At those words, Casey’s heart leapt in her chest, the word beautiful still ringing in her ears, and when Drew pulled her down off of the tub and into his arms, she wondered if her heart might actually stop altogether. If I died right now, Casey thought, closing her eyes, it would be just fine with me.
Drew leaned in, his lips grazing hers before they touched completely, his mouth opening under her own, electricity racing through her. The memory of every other boy she’d ever crushed on vanished in that one moment, until there was only Drew—his kisses both magical and perfect. The last time she’d made out with a guy was at a stupid kegger back home, where everyone was nostalgic for sixth grade. The night had deteriorated into rounds of Spin the Bottle, and an extended version of Seven Minutes in Heaven, where you macked on the cute guy of your choice for seven minutes in the nearest available closet. After a few lukewarm cups of beer, which made her feel slightly nauseous, she was pulled into a coat closet by Bobby McFarlane for some face time, and he stuck his tongue down her throat like he was mining for gold. It was decidedly unpleasant—not to mention wet. But if kissing Bobby was seven minutes in hell, kissing Drew was more like seven minutes in ecstasy. When Drew finally pulled back, breathing quickly and pushing her curls out of her face with his fingers, Casey felt totally dazed, like she was sleeping deeply in a dream—the most wonderful, yummy dream she’d ever experienced. And if it really was only a dream, then she didn’t ever want to wake up. Drew looked at her and smiled, his blue eyes shining, his dimple winking ecstatically.
“How about that tour of the city I promised you?” He took her hand in his own as he pulled her up, helping her off the floor. “Sometime this weekend, maybe?”
Casey stood up, nodding happily. Her butt was totally sore, her legs asleep, and there was a pack of vultures dressed head to toe in designer labels right outside the bathroom door. But despite all that, she was the happiest she’d ever been. She hadn’t blown it after all—at least not with Drew. But she couldn’t think about Madison now—not when Drew was staring into her eyes with that adorkably kissable expression on his chiseled, gorgeous face. So she moved closer and did just that, twining her arms around his neck until Madison, Meadowlark, and the rest of the world fell away as he softly pulled her to him and leaned in for another kiss.